Country Reports on Terrorism 2012

On March 8, an Italian citizen and a British citizen who were kidnapped in May 2010 in
Kebbi state, were killed in Sokoto state by their captors during an attempted rescue by
Nigerian and British special forces.
In April, assailants attacked Theatre Hall at Bayero University, Kano, with improvised
explosive devices (IEDs) and gunshots, killing nearly 20 persons.
On April 26, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) simultaneously
exploded at the offices of This Day newspaper in Abuja and Kaduna, killing five persons
and wounding many.
On June 17, attacks on three churches in Kaduna state killed worshippers and instigated
violence throughout the state. At least 10 people were killed and an additional 78 injured
in the ensuing riots, as groups barricaded roads, burned mosques, and used machetes to
attack and kill. In response, the Kaduna state government imposed a 24-hour curfew and
deployed additional security forces; however, violence between Christians and Muslims
continued for nearly one week.
In July, the assassination of three traditional Muslim leaders was attempted in Borno,
Yobe, and Kaduna states respectively. None of the targets was killed.
On July 30, police stations and markets in Sokoto were attacked, resulting in the death of
six persons.
In July and August, churches were targeted in Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kogi states. The total
killed in these attacks was 22 persons.
On December 19, a French engineer was kidnapped in Katsina state, near the Niger
border. Ansaru, considered a splinter faction of BH, claimed the kidnapping, and the
victim's whereabouts remained unknown at year’s end.
Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: The weakest aspect of the Prevention of
Terrorism Law of 2011 is that it does not clearly delineate the lead agency to investigate
suspected terrorist crimes.
The trial of six suspects accused of the Christmas Day 2011 bombing of a Catholic church at
Madalla in Niger state began in September and was ongoing at year’s end.
In February, a U.S. District Court sentenced Nigerian national Umar Abdulmutallab to life in
prison for his unsuccessful attempt to detonate an explosive aboard a U.S.-flagged air carrier
approaching Detroit, Michigan on December 25, 2009. Throughout the trial, the Nigerian
government cooperated closely with DHS, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the
International Civil Aviation Organization.
The Nigerian government actively cooperated with the United States and other international
partners to prevent further acts of terrorism in Nigeria against U.S. citizens, citizens of third
countries, and Nigerian citizens.
Countering Terrorist Finance: Nigeria is a member of the Inter-Governmental Action Group
against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)style
regional body. Nigeria was publicly identified by the FATF in February 2010 for strategic
anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism deficiencies. In October 2011,
Nigeria was named in the FATF Public Statement for its lack of progress in implementing its
action plan. In 2012, Nigeria made significant progress in addressing its outstanding deficiencies,
including through the adoption of amendments to its Money Laundering (Prevention) Act.
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